Former Housing and City Improvement Secretary Julian Castro speaks throughout a home celebration on the Ed and Jane Cranston residence, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in North Liberty, Iowa. (AP Picture/Charlie Neibergall)

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SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Former Obama Cupboard member Julian Castro joined the 2020 presidential race Saturday as the frenzy of Democrats making early strikes to problem President Donald Trump accelerates, whereas anticipation grows round larger names nonetheless contemplating a White Home run.

“I’m working for president as a result of it’s time for brand new management, as a result of it’s time for brand new vitality and it’s time for a brand new dedication to be sure that the alternatives that I’ve had can be found to each American,” he informed cheering supporters.

Castro, who may find yourself being the one Latino in what’s shaping as much as be a crowded Democratic discipline, formally kicked off his marketing campaign with a rally in his hometown of San Antonio, the place he was mayor for 5 years. The ex-housing secretary grew to become the second Democrat to formally enter race, after former Maryland Rep. John Delaney.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has additionally began an exploratory committee for president, and 4 different Democratic senators are taking regular steps towards working. Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, the primary Hindu elected to Congress, is planning a bid, too.

Castro, the 44-year-old grandson of a Mexican immigrant, made the marketing campaign announcement at Plaza Guadalupe on San Antonio’s middle-class west facet, lower than 200 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. The deadlock over a border wall that Trump made a central promise of his 2016 marketing campaign has led to the longest authorities shutdown in U.S. historical past. Trump was on the Texas border on Thursday to press his case for a wall that he stated would assist clear up a humanitarian and safety disaster on the border.

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Becoming a member of Castro on the marketing campaign kickoff was his twin brother, Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro, chairman of the Hispanic congressional caucus and a frequent Trump critic.

The Democratic discipline is beginning to take form regardless that the primary main elections are greater than a 12 months away.

Sen. Kamala Harris of California this previous week printed a memoir , a staple of presidential candidates. Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke is doing little to dim hypothesis that he would possibly leap right into a discipline that has no clear front-runner.

Castro is conscious he lacks the identify recognition of potential 2020 rivals or the excitement surrounding O’Rourke, whose flirtations with 2020 have tantalized donors and activists after a detailed race final 12 months towards Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.

However Castro, who has repeatedly dismissed speak that an O’Rourke candidacy would complicate his personal probabilities, has framed the neighborhood and his upbringing because the story of an underdog.

Castro was raised by a neighborhood Latina activist. After a quick profession in regulation, he was elected mayor of the nation’s seventh-largest metropolis at 34. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than Democrats nationally embraced him as a star within the making, notably one from Texas, the place a booming Hispanic inhabitants is quickly altering the state’s demographics and bettering the celebration’s fortunes.

Castro delivered the keynote speech on the 2012 Democratic Nationwide Conference. Two years later, President Barack Obama picked him to guide the Division of Housing and City Improvement.

He was on the quick record of Hillary Clinton’s potential working mates in 2016. Throughout Castro’s journey this previous week to Nevada, one state Latino enterprise chief informed Castro that he ought to once more be a high contender for vice chairman if his marketing campaign falls quick.

Like different Democrats working, Castro has stated he won’t settle for cash from political motion committees tied to companies and unions, and he has sought to introduce himself to voters as a champion for common well being care and inexpensive housing.

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Comply with Paul J. Weber on Twitter: www.twitter.com/pauljweber

The Related Press contributed to this report.

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